Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. Music Inks Label Deal With Island Def Jam

Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. Music imprint has launched the careers of artists like John Legend, KiD CuDi, Big Sean and CyHi Da Prynce as well as reignited the career of veteran rapper Common, all without a major label to call home. But now, G.O.O.D. Music has somewhere to plant its roots after it was announced that the music imprint had signed an exclusive long-term worldwide label agreement with Island Def Jam Music Group.

According to RapFix Live, Kanye West, Universal Motown Republic Group and Island Def Jam Music Group chairman and CEO Barry Weiss and president and COO of Island Def Jam Music Group Steve Bartels made the announcement yesterday, June 27.

West’s latest protégé, Detroit rapper Big Sean, will be the first G.O.O.D. Music artist to release new material as a part of the new deal when his album Finally Famous hits stores today, June 28.

As Weiss explains, hopes are high for the new deal as well as the career of Big Sean.

“G.O.O.D. Music is an exciting new chapter in the long and successful association of Kanye West and Island Def Jam,” Weiss said. “As a recording artist and a producer over the past eight years, there is no one who has made a greater impression on the game than Kanye. We look forward to working closely with the new and established artists that he will be bringing to G.O.O.D. Music, which is already off to an impressive start with Big Sean.”

Bartels also shared his thoughts on the new deal, explaining that West’s creative genius and ear for good music will no doubt make the deal a success.

“Kanye’s genius has been proven time and time again on records and on stage,” said Bartels. “He not only pours it out for himself, but he has made the difference with his presence on innumerable projects with other artists who are indebted to him. Kanye is an integral core member of the IDJ family, and G.O.O.D. Music continues his unselfish tradition of bringing along great new artists to the forefront.”

Big Sean isn’t the only G.O.O.D. Music signee reaping the benefits of a new deal. According to XXL, on Friday, June 24, sources close to Common revealed that the Chicago rapper recently signed a record deal with Warner Bros. Records. There’s no word, yet, on whether the deal will be a joint venture between G.O.O.D. Music and Warner Bros. or if Common has jumped ship from West’s label.

Hopefully, this is the beginning of a successful business venture as well as a continued partnership between West and Common. –nicholas robinson